West Bromwich Albion’s faint play-off hopes suffered another blow as Lyle Taylor’s penalty clinched Birmingham City’s first home win over their West Midlands rivals for over 15 years to ruin Steve Bruce’s return to his former club.
Taylor’s seventh goal of the season – and fourth in nine games on loan at Birmingham – left 12th-placed West Brom eight points off the play-offs with seven games left, at the start of what manager Bruce described as a ‘defining week’ for his team.
West Brom had most of the play late on after bringing substitute Andy Carroll but Birmingham’s defence remained resolute.